Latch for monorail systems



July 13,1926. I 1,592,815

F. c. HARRIS LATCH FOR MONORAIL SYSTEMS Filed Feb. 5. 1926 fiwentor: 152m]: 6. Harris,

Patented July 13, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK C. HARRIS, OF BRIGHTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN MONORAIL COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

LATCH FOR MONORAIL SYSTEMS.

Application filed February 3, 1926. Serial No. 85,701.

This invention relates to latch mechanisms for monorail systems and the like, the particular object of the invention being the provision of a safety device which, (when a switch or another device is open) will operate automatically to prevent the trolley on the monorail from running off the end thereof.

This object is attained by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, one preferred form thereof is illustrated in the drawings, this form having been found to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which the invention consists can be variously arranged and organized, and the invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and organization of these instrumentalities as herein shown and described except as required by the scope of the appended claims.

Of the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a plan of a safety latch mechanism embodying the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 represents a side elevation of the same. i

v Figure 3 represents an end elevation of one unit of same, and

Figure 4 repres'ents'a central vertical section of said unit.

' Similar characters "indicate like parts throughout the several figures of the drawings. I

In the drawings 10, are companion latch blocks, one of which is secured to a member ll'and the other to a member 12, these members being movable relatively. to each other to bring them into or outv of alinement as desired. f

They may be installed in connection with a great variety of mechanisms, at least one of which is movable, as for instance switches, turntables and similar devices.

These devices are all used in connection with a system of overhead trackage for the purpose of shifting trolleys from one line of monorail to some other line.

As a consequence the latch blocks are normally in alinement so that thetrolleys may move from the rail 13 supported by one block 10 to the rail 14 supported by the other block or in the reverse direction.

Each block 10 is provided with a dependmg plate 15 the lower end of which has thereon oppositely disposed projections 16 to which the two-part rails 13, 14 are clamped by the bolts 17 extending through slots 18 therein, said rail parts having in their adjacent faces depressions or grooves 19 to receive said projections.

The ends of the rails 13, 14 are cut away at 20 leaving extensions 21 disposed in the forked lower ends of the flanged edges 22 of the depending plates 15.

Each edge 22 is provided at its upper end with lateral extensions 23 having oppositely disposed inclined faces 24.

In the top of each block 10 is a recess 25 havmg positioned therein a locking bolt 26 which is flat sided and provided with a cylindrical shank 27 extending through a bearing in the end wall 28.

The projecting endof the shank 27 has an opening 29 therein by which a pulling member 30 is secured to said shank, said member 30 extending to any suitable mechanism by which a pulling movement may be imparted to the bolt 26 to withdraw it within the recess 25 when it is desired to disconnect the bolt 26 of one block from the recess 25 in the other block to permit movement of one block relatively to the other. I

Surrounding the shank 27 between the head of the locking bolt 26 and the wall 28 1s a spring 31 tending to force outwardly the bolt 26.

Beneath therecess 25 is a flat sided chamber 32 in which is disposed a reciprocating member 33, one end of which projects beyond the inclined faces 24, said member 33 being forced outwardly by the spring 34 surrounding the shank 35 extending through the end wall 28.

Each member 33 has a pivot pin 36 extending therethrough and through a slot 37 in the side walls of the chamber 32.

On the outer ends of said pivot pin 36 are mounted the dogs 38 each having a weighted arm 39 and a lug 4O radiating from the axis of said pin 36.

The lug 40 is retained in contact with a shoulder 41 on the block 10 by the weight of the arm 39 but when the blocks are moved out of alinement with each other and the spring 3 L forcesthe member 33 outwardly, the pin 36 and dog 38 will be moved therewith sufliciently to permit the weighted arm 39 to move downwardly into the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig; 2.

When in this dotted position the end of arm will he in'the path of the; trolley wheel 48: and will limit its movement and preventit from running off the rail 13.

hen the trolley wheel 42* strikes the end of the arm 39 there will be considerable strain brought to bear upon the pivot pin 3.6 and in order to. reduce this. as much as possible the. dog 38 hasa. shoulder 43 which the rail 1%.

This member 33' will project from each block 10, however, until'thecompanionblock 10 is moved into alinement therewith, the inward movement of said member 33 being effected by an inclined face 2.4 of the moving block coming into contact. with the V-shaped end. of" the member 33" It is obvious that when the pair of blocks are alined they will be locked and the trolleys may pass freely" over the rails 13 14 in either direction, but as soon as either block is moved out of alinement with the other; the safety device will be put in commission so that it" will beimpossible for the trolleys to run. oh the end of either rail. This makes a very' simple but. effective latch for monorails combined. with safety means which will prevent accidents when the latch bloclis are out of alinement.

From the foregoing description, it' is believed that the operation and many advantages. of the invention will be readily understood.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A latch block. havinga central depend ing plate provided at its lower end with oppositely disposed projections extending lengthwise thereof: a monorail having two parts clamped to the opposite sides of said lower end; a spring-pressed locking bolt extending lengthwise of said plate; and means for withdrawing said bolt.

2. A latch block having a central dependingplate; a monorail having two parts secured to opposite sides of the; lower end thereof; a spring-pressed locking bolt ex tending lengthwise of said plate and means for withdrawing said bolt. I

3. A latch block having; a central depending plate; a monorail having two parts secured to opposite sides of the lower end thereof; a forked member on. said depending plate straddling said monorail; a springpressed locking bolt extending lengthwise of said plate and means for withdrawing said bolt.

4. A latch block having a central depending plate, a monorail supported on the lower end thereof; a spring-pressed locking bolt extending lengthwise of said plate; a reciprocating spring-pressed safety member disposed in said block beneath and locking bolt; and dogs pivotally mounted on said member and normally in elevated posit-ion but adaptedin the outward movement of said member to drop into the path of the trolley wheels on said rail;

A latch block having a central depend ing plate, a monorail supported onthe lower end thereof; a springpressed locking bolt extending lengthwise of said, plate a re ciprocating spring-pressed safety member disposed in said block beneath said locking bolt; and dogs pivotally mounted on said member and normally retained in elevated position by lugs thereon contacting with shouldered projections on said plate but adapted in the outward movement of said member to drop into the path of the trolley wheels on said rail.

6; A latch block having a central depending-plate with oppositely inclined: faces at oneend thereof a. monorail supported on the lower end thereof; a spring-pressed locking bolt extending lengthwise of said plate; a reciprocating spring-pressed safety member disposed in said bloclcbeneath said locking bolt; and dogs pivota-lly mounted on said member and normally in elevated position but adapted in the outward movement of said member to drop. into. the: path of the trolley wheels on said rail.

7 A latch block having a central dependingplate, a monorail supported on the lower end thereof; aspring-pressedl locking bolt extending lengthwise of said plate; a reciproea-t-ing spring-pressed safety member disposed in said block beneath said locking bolt; a transverse pivot pin extending through said member; and dogs pivotally mounted on the opposite ends of said pin and normally in elevated position but adapted in the outward movement of said member to drop into the path of the trolley wheels on said rail.

8. A latch block for a monorail provided with the usual latch device, a spring-pressed reciprocating member on said block adapted to be forced inwardly by a companion block; and means carried by said member and adaptedduring the outward movement of said. member to fall into the path of a trolley on said rail to limit its forward movement.

9. A latch block for a monorail provided with the usual latch device, a sprin pressed reciprocating member on said bloc adapted to be forced inwardly by a companion block; and a weighted dog carried by said member and adapted during the outward movement of said member to fall into the path of a trolley on said rail to limit its forward movement.

10. A latch block for a monorail provided with the usual latch device, a spring-pressed reciprocating member on said block; a dog pivoted thereto having an arm normally in the path of a trolley on said rail and an upwardly extending lug; and a projection on said block coacting with said lug when said member is moved inwardly to move said arm out of the path of said trolley.

11. A latch block for a monorail provided with the usual latch device, a spring-pressed reciprocating member on said block; a dog pivoted thereto having an arm normally in the path of a trolley on said rail and an upwardly extending lug; and a projection on said block coacting with said lug when said member is moved inwardly to move said arm out of the path of said trolley, said dog having a shoulder thereon coacting with a shoul der on said block when said dog is in its normal position thereby sustaining part of the strain upon said arm when engaged by said trolley.

12. A pair of oppositely disposed latch blocks for monorails each provided with a spring-pressed bolt, either of said bolts being adapted to enter the bolt hole of the other; means for withdrawing either bolt; a member reciprocable in each block; a spring for forcing said member outwardly; oppositely inclined faces on each block adapted to force inwardly each member when said blocks are moved opposite each other; and means operable by the outward movement of said member for limiting the outward movement of a trolley wheel on said rails.

13. A pair of oppositely disposed latch blocks for monorails each provided with a spring-pressed bolt, either of said bolts being adapted to enter the bolt hole of the other; means for withdrawing either bolt; a member reciprocable in each block; a spring for forcing said member outwardly; oppositely inclined faces on each block adapted to force inwardly each member when said blocks are moved opposite each other; and a weighted dog pivoted to each member and operable by the outward movement of said member for limiting the outward movement of a trolley wheel on said rails.

14. A pair of oppositely disposed latch blocksfor monorails, each provided with means for locking the blocks together; means for unlocking either block to permit it to be moved out of alinement with the other; a member movable outwardly in each block when said blocks are moved out of aline-' ment; and safety devices on each block placed in commission by the outward movement of each member adapted to limit the outward movement of trolleys on. said rails and prevent displacement therefrom.

Signed by me at 746 Old South Bldg, Boston, Mass, this 2nd day of February, 1926.

FRANK C. HARRIS. 

